working with osteoarthritis

smartie40

Hello i am new on here, i have been ringing this site for informatiion but could not get to speak to anyone so made a decsion to join and ask anybody on here for a bit of help.
I have osteoarthritis of the spine and spondylosis of the neck.(6 years)
I am a lorry driver for a large company. I would like to know can i register withe the dda as i have heard of this with other people in my workplace as they have rheumatiod arthritis. I havent asked them as i have not told anyone as i do not want management to know as i am afraid that they might medical retire me. i have been with the company for over 25 years, i am just over 40 years of age and female.
some days i struggle to walk and the cold weather doesnt help.
any help would be appreciated, thankyou.x :roll:

stickywicket

Hi smartie40. I'm sorry I can't help and I hope someone else will be able to. Have you tried posting this on the Helplines forum?

villier

hi smartie welcome to the forum sorry to meet you under these circumstances, i have oa in hands just had a fusion done the other day, i am sure some of the spineys will be along soon to give advice, i take it you mean the dla, of course you can register and you can still work while receiving, you can phone for the forms or i'm sure you can do it online, tell them as it is on a bad day hopefully others will pitch in soon, nice to meet you..............marie

gilly1957

Hi Smartie

I have OA of the lumber spine and in a lot of pain when I walk and cant walk far, I,ve just been awarded higher DLA for mobility.

I phoned for the forms and your claim is dated from then.

My result was based on what I wrote on the form and my last ESA medical report.

Good luck

Gill

smartie40

hi all thankyou for the greeting.x
I enjoy my job but i dont want to give it up and i am scared that they will medically retire me. I have to see atos next week, also as i had a knee operation a few months ago(accident in work fell over 2 years ago) and i am having problems with that at the moment, but is it for the best to tell them that i have osteoartritis/spondylosis?? will they help me in the workplace?
I have heard of the DDA disability discrimination act?
Also my doctor is not helpful at all. Is this a disability? I dont know? i do suffer but not as bad as some people, i try and stay active and eat healthy..
some days i want to cry as i was so active a few years ago.
would i be able to receive DLA then if i still worked 40hours?

Thankyou for your answers i wish i found his site a long time ago. xx

okidoki

hi. i have been through the same as you over the last year. you do come under DDA.but despite what others say its only a court of law and the DWP who can legaly say if you do. like i said i am going through the same..
its tricky doin the job you do, as to whether you are safe doin so. only you know that answer.
dont tell DVLA just now. thay make life difficult.
employer should help you where thay can, lorry seat, hours, type of jobs. but that depends on employer.

smartie40

Thankyou for your reply...
I have asked a few people and they said that they should help you in the workplace especially the driving side of it.
I am seeing atos this week as my boss referred me. I said that i am not fit enough to drive the lorries yet as i feel to weak at the moment..
i have been off work for 7 months due to a few operations, i am in work on indoor light jobs , but i feel pushed to get back into the driving job as they do not like accommodating you on other jobs.(cost)
I am worried that they will say that there is no other job for you and medical retire me.
anyhow who would want to employ me if they retire you medically?

okidoki

smartie40 wrote:

Thankyou for your reply...
I have asked a few people and they said that they should help you in the workplace especially the driving side of it.
I am seeing atos this week as my boss referred me. I said that i am not fit enough to drive the lorries yet as i feel to weak at the moment..
i have been off work for 7 months due to a few operations, i am in work on indoor light jobs , but i feel pushed to get back into the driving job as they do not like accommodating you on other jobs.(cost)
I am worried that they will say that there is no other job for you and medical retire me.
anyhow who would want to employ me if they retire you medically?

get an ''OT at work, for work'' involved. i did and she helps alot. you have to remember that thay employed you to drive, and dont realy have to accomidate you in an other type of work, you could be told to stay at home... i take it your not off sick. made fit for work by your doc. if so your fit for work...

if you think thay are pushing you, beat them by telling DVLA, but you will take the brunt of it.